Composition of a monoterpenoid-rich essential oil from the rhizome of Zingiber officinale from north western Himalayas

The chemical composition of the essential oil from the rhizome of ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), collected from Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, India, was determined by gas chromatography and GC-MS. Fifty-one compounds, representing 95.1% of the oil, were identified. The oil was characterized by relatively large amounts of the monoterpenoids 1,8-cineole (10.9%), linalool (4.8%), borneol (5.6%), alpha-terpineol (3.6%), neral (8.1%), geraniol (14.5%), geranial (9.5%), trans-dimethoxy citral (5.0%) and geranyl acetate (6.3%). Five compounds, namely trans-linalool oxide, trans-linalool oxide acetate, (Z)-dimethoxycitral, (E)-dimethoxy citral and epi-zingiberenol are reported for the first time in oil of ginger.     

Antioxidant activity and chemical composition of essential oil from Atriplex undulata

The essential oil from aerial parts (stems and leaves) of Atriplex undulata (Moq) D. Dietr. (Chenopodiaceae) has been studied for its in vitro antioxidant activity. The chemical composition of the oil obtained by hydrodistillation was determined by GC and GC-MS. The major constituents were p-acetanisole (28.1%), beta-damascenone (9.3%), beta-ionone (5.1%), viridiflorene (4.7%) and 3-oxo-alpha-ionol (2.2%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was determined by two methods: Crocin bleaching inhibition (Krel = 0.72 +/- 0.15) and scavenging of the DPPH radical (IC50 = 36.2 +/- 1.6 microg/mL). The presence of active compounds like p-acetanisole, carvone, vanillin, 4-vinylguaiacol, guaiacol, terpinen-4-ol and alpha-terpineol could explain the antioxidant activity observed for this oil.     

The essential oil of Artemisia scoparia from tajikistan is dominated by phenyldiacetylenes

The essential oil from the aerial parts of Artemisia scoparia was obtained by hydrodistillation and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 32 compounds were identified representing 98.0% of the total oil composition. A. scoparia oil was dominated by the diacetylenes 1-phenyl-2,4-pentadiyne (34.2%) and capillene (4.9%). Other major components were beta-pinene (21.3%), methyl eugenol (5.5%), alpha-pinene (5.4%), myrcene (5.2%), limonene (5.0%), and (E)-beta-ocimene (3.8%). The oil was tested for in-vitro cytotoxic activity against MCF-7 cells, but was inactive.     

Analysis of essential oils from Scutellaria orientalis ssp. alpina and S. utriculata by GC and GC-MS

The chemical composition of the essential oils obtained from aerial parts of Scutellaria orientalis L. ssp. alpina (Boiss.) O. Schwarz and S. utriculata Labill. growing wild in Lebanon, were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. In S. orientalis ssp. alpina, strongly characterized by sesquiterpenes (41.2%) and particularly sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (31.7%), hexahydrofarnesylacetone (11.7%) was recognized as the main constituent, together with hexadecanoic acid (7.6%), caryophyllene (7.4%), caryophyllene oxide (6.8%), 4-vinylguaiacol (5.4%) and germacrene D (5.4%). S. utriculata oil was instead constituted above all by monoterpenes (42.2%), particularly oxygen containing monoterpenes (39.9%), and in this oil the main compounds were linalool (20.1%), 4-vinyl guaiacol (15.5%), alpha-terpineol (8.9%), (E)-nerolidol (8.9%) and geraniol (8.2%).     

Hydrodistillation-headspace solvent microextraction, a new method for analysis of the essential oil components of Lavandula angustifolia Mill

A new method involving concurrent headspace solvent microextraction combined with continuous hydrodistillation (HD-HSME) for the extraction and pre-concentration of the essential oil of Lavandula angustifolia Mill. into a microdrop is developed. A microdrop of n-hexadecane containing n-heptadecane (as internal standard) extruded from the needle tip of a gas chromatographic syringe was inserted into the headspace above the plant sample. After extraction for an optimized time, the microdrop was retracted into the syringe and injected directly into a GC injection port. The effects of the type of extracting solvent, sample mass, microdrop volume and extraction time on HD-HSME efficiency were investigated and optimized. Using this method, thirty-six compounds were extracted and identified. Linalool (32.8%), linalyl acetate (17.6%), lavandulyl acetate (15.9%), alpha-terpineol (6.7%) and geranyl acetate (5.0%) were found to be the major constituents. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report on the use of continuous headspace solvent microextraction coupled with hydrodistillation for investigation of essential oil components.     

Analysis of fragrance compounds in blood samples of mice by gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, GC/FTIR and GC/AES after inhalation of sandalwood oil.

After inhalation experiments with sandalwood oil and the pure fragrance compounds coumarin and alpha-terpineol, substances were detected and measured in the blood samples of test animals (mice) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) (MID) in connection with GC/FTIR (SWC), GC/AES (carbon and oxygen trace) and flame ionization detection/gas chromatography. Using tiglinic acid benzyl ester as the internal standard the following concentrations in serum could be found: alpha-santalol 6.1 ng/mL, beta-santalol 5.3 ng/mL and alpha-santalene 0.5 ng/mL. In separate inhalation experiments with coumarin and with alpha-terpineol the corresponding concentrations were 7.7 ng/mL and 6.9 ng/mL, respectively.     

Chemical evaluation and thermal analysis of the essential oil from the fruits of the vegetable species <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pimenta dioica</Emphasis> Lindl

The vegetal species Pimenta dioica Lindl, popularly known as Jamaican pepper, is a 6–15 m tall tree, which belongs to the Mirtaceae family. Its fruits have an essential oil of great economic value in the international market, due to its high level of eugenol (its major compound), which is largely used in chemical and pharmaceutical industries. In this work, the extraction of the essential oil from the fruits of Pimenta dioica Lindl was carried out by the hydrodistillation method, using a modified Clevenger system. It was observed that the volume of the extracted oil reaches a maximum at 4 h, with a yield of 2.7% (m/m). The essential oil was characterized by physico-chemical analyses, such as density, refraction index, ethanol solubility, color, and appearance, besides UV–vis and infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Thus, eugenol was confirmed as the major component of the essential oil of Pimenta dioica Lindl (77%). The technique of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used for the determination of boiling point of the sample of essential oil from the fruits of Pimenta dioica (L.).     

Composition and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus kusanoi from Taiwan

The hydrodistillated leaf essential oil of Machilus kusanoi was analyzed to determine its composition and yield. Twenty-three compounds were identified, the main components being beta-caryophyllene (23.3%), beta-eudesmol (17.1%), alpha-terpineol (16.0%), n-dodecanal (14.2%), and n-decanal (10.4%). Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (28.1%) and non-terpenoids (25.0%) were the predominant groups of compounds. The leaf oil exhibited excellent antimicrobial and anti-wood-decay fungal activities.     

Identification of character-impact odorants in coriander and wild coriander leaves using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GCO) and comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (GC x GC-TOFMS)

The essential oil of coriander leaves (Coriandrum sativum) and wild coriander leaves (Eryngium foetidum) grown in Fiji was obtained by steam distillation. The aroma profiles were characterised using gas chromatography-olfactometry (GCO) and CharmAnalysis. The character-impact odorants were identified using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC x GC) combined with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOFMS). During GCO analysis, the co-elution of E-2-alkenals and E-2-alken-1-ols resulted in the perception of 'odour-clusters'. The most important odorants in C. sativum were found to be Z-2-decenal, a co-eluting odour-cluster (E-2-dodecenal, E-2-dodecen-1-ol, and 1-dodecanol), beta-ionone, eugenol, and E-2-decenal. E-2-decen-1-ol was the most abundant compound in C. sativum (26.0% TIC) but only contributed 0.39% of the total odour activity. The most abundant compound in E. foetidum was E-2-dodecenal (63.5% TIC), which also contributed the most odour activity (52.9%). Other important odorants were either eugenol or a trimethylbenzaldehyde isomer, beta-ionone, Z-4-dodecenal, dodecanal, and E-2-tetradecenal. GC x GC-TOFMS allowed the identification of 42 and 20 compounds not previously reported in the literature for C. sativum and E. foetidum, respectively. In particular, beta-ionone was determined to be an important odorant in both samples but could not be identified with GC-qMS.     

Commercial Origanum compactum Benth. and Cinnamomum zeylanicum Blume essential oils against natural mycoflora in Valencia rice

Chemical composition of commercial Origanum compactum and Cinnamomum zeylanicum essential oils and the antifungal activity against pathogenic fungi isolated from Mediterranean rice grains have been investigated. Sixty-one compounds accounting for more than 99.5% of the total essential oil were identified by using gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Carvacrol (43.26%), thymol (21.64%) and their biogenetic precursors p-cymene (13.95%) and γ-terpinene (11.28%) were the main compounds in oregano essential oil, while the phenylpropanoids, eugenol (62.75%), eugenol acetate (16.36%) and (E)-cinnamyl acetate (6.65%) were found in cinnamon essential oil. Both essential oils at 300 μg/mL showed antifungal activity against all tested strains. O. compactum essential oil showed the best antifungal activity towards Fusarium species and Bipolaris oryzae with a total inhibition of the mycelial growth. In inoculated rice grains at lower doses (100 and 200 μg/mL) significantly reduced the fungal infection, so O. compactum essential oil could be used as ecofriendly preservative for field and stored Valencia rice.     

Essential oil composition and acaricidal activity of Schinus terebinthifolius from Atlantic Forest of Pernambuco, Brazil against Tetranychus urticae

The compositions of the essential oils from unripe (UFr) and ripe (RFr) fruits of Schinus terebinthifolius were analyzed by GC and GC/MS. The major compound identified in both oils was limonene (UFr = 44.1 +/- 1.3%; RFr = 31.8 +/- 1.2%), followed by alpha-phellandrene (15.7 +/- 0.4%) in the UFr oil and thujene (21.7 +/- 0.9%) in the RFr oil. Repellent and toxicity activities of the two oils were also evaluated, and the results compared with eugenol. The UFr oil was more active in the fumigation tests (LC50 = 1.46 microL/L of air), whereas the RFr oil was more active in the sealed dishes (SD) than open dishes (OD) contact assay (LC50 = 3.04 microL/cm2) and not significantly different from eugenol. Both oils exhibited significant repellent activity comparable with that of eugenol. The results suggest that the repellent activity of these oils in association with its toxicity could be a great advantage for the integrated management of T. urticae.     

Temperature dependence of the mass accommodation coefficients of 2-nitrophenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol on aqueous surfaces

The uptake of 2-nitrophenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol on aqueous surfaces was investigated between 278 and 303 K, using the wetted-wall flow tube technique coupled with UV absorption spectroscopic detection. The uptake coefficients gamma were found to be independent of the aqueous phase composition and of the gas-liquid contact times. In addition, the uptake coefficients and the derived mass accommodation coefficients alpha show a negative temperature dependence in the temperature range studied. The mass accommodation coefficients decrease from 5.2 x 10(-3) to 8.3 x 10(-4), from 5.0 x 10(-3) to 3.1 x 10(-4), from 6.7 x 10(-3) to 7.3 x 10(-4), and from 1.2 x 10(-2) to 5.9 x 10(-4) for 2-nitrophenol, 2-methylphenol, 3-methylphenol, and 4-methylphenol, respectively. These results are used to discuss the incorporation of these species into the liquid using the nucleation theory. These data combined with the Henry's law constants were used to estimate the partitioning of the phenolic compounds between gaseous and aqueous phases and the corresponding atmospheric lifetimes under clear sky (tau(gas)) and cloudy conditions (tau(multiphase)) have then been derived.     

Volatile fraction of lavender and bitter fennel infusion extracts

The relative proportions of chemical classes (hydrocarbons, oxides, alcohols/ethers, aldehydes/ketones, acids/esters/lactones) in the essential oil of lavender (Lavendula angustifolia Mill., family Lamiaceae) and bitter fennel (Foeniculum vulgare Mill. subsp. vulgare var. vulgare (Mill.) Thellung, family Apiaceae) and in the volatile fraction of infusion extracts were examined and showed remarkable differences. The volatile compounds of infusions were isolated by hydrodistillation and solid phase extraction (SPE). Their qualitative and semiquantitative compositions were compared with the essential oil isolated by hydrodistillation directly from the plant material and analyzed by GC-MS. Furthermore, quantification of the major constituents of lavender oil and of the volatile fraction obtained by hydrodistillation of the infusion was performed. Comparison of the total essential oil yield quantified by hydrodistillation of the lavender infusion (0.7% v/w, corresponding to plant material) with the essential oil yield of the blossoms (5.1% v/w) revealed that only 13.9% of the initial oil could be extracted by infusion. The main constituents of the volatile fraction of the lavender infusion were (hydrodistillation/SPE): linalool (39.3%/28.2%), 1,8 cineole (24.8%/18.9%), cis-linalool oxide (furanoid) (5.8%/8.0%), trans-linalool oxide (furanoid) (4.1%/7.1%), camphor (5.3%/4.0%) and alpha-terpineol (4.0%/3.0%). The major constituents of lavender essential oil were linalool (28.8%), 1,8-cineole (18.05%), linalyl acetate (13.9%) and alpha-terpineol (4.0%). Most intriguing, in the volatile fraction of lavender infusion a significant proportional decrease of linalyl acetate and an increase of linalool oxides was recognized. The essential oil yield of fennel fruits was 12.5% v/w, whereas 1.8% v/w volatile fraction (corresponding to plant material) was obtained by hydrodistillation of the fennel infusion, which is equivalent to 14.5% of the initial fennel essential oil. The main constituents of the volatile fraction of the fennel infusion were (hydrodistillation/SPE): trans-anethole (56.4%/54.8%), fenchone (36.2%/39.5%) and estragole (2.5%/2.2%), which were also the major compounds of the genuine bitter fennel essential oil. In infusions, the proportion of ethers vs. ketones was shifted significantly towards a higher proportion of the latter compared with the essential oil obtained from the fruits.     

Composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the leaf essential oil of Machilus japonica from Taiwan

The chemical composition, and antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the essential oil isolated from the leaf of Machilus japonica from Taiwan have been investigated. The essential oil from the fresh leaves was isolated using hydrodistillation in a Clevenger-type apparatus, and characterized by GC-FID and GC-MS. A total of 97 compounds were identified, representing 100% of the oil. The main components identified were alpha-phellandrene (14.5%), alpha-pinene (12.8%), thymol (12.6%), beta-pinene (8.3%), alpha-terpineol (6.5%) and carvacrol (6.0%). The antioxidant activity of the oil was tested by the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging capability test. The results showed that the IC50 was 51.8 microg/mL. The antimicrobial activity of the oil was tested by the disc diffusion and micro-broth dilution methods against ten microbial species. The oil exhibited strong growth suppression against Gram-positive bacteria and yeast, with inhibition zones of 48-54 mm and MIC values of 16.12-32.25 microg/mL, respectively. For the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the oil, the active source compounds were determined to be thymol and carvacrol.     

Comparison of Eucalyptus cinerea essential oils produced by hydrodistillation and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction

The essential oil of Eucalyptus cinerea is reported to possess a higher 1,8-cineole content than other Eucalyptus species. Variations in the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of E. cinerea oil produced by hydrodistillation (HD) and supercritical carbon dioxide extraction (SCE) techniques and a comparison between glycoside-bound and free volatile constituents produced by HD have been studied. It was found that HD produced higher oil (free volatiles) content (3.1%) as compared with SCE (1.1%), whereas bound volatiles constituted only about 0.4%. Gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of the oil samples revealed significant difference in their chemical composition. The essential oil (free volatiles) produced by HD contained 1,8-cineole (85.1%) as the major constituent, followed by a-terpineol (7.2%) and limonene (4.4%). In the bound volatile fraction produced by HD, 1,8 cineole (20.6%), alpha-terpineol (7.6%), p-cymene (6.3%), and limonene (4.5%) were found as major constituents. The extract produced by SCE was dominated by 1,8-cineole (70.4%), a-terpineol (8.6%), globulol (3.1%), aromadendrene (2%), citronellal (1.7%), viridiflorol (1.3%), phytol (1.1%) and terpinen-4-ol (1%). Although HD produced higher oil yields, SCE produced better extract in terms of the number of components detected.     

2-undecanone rich leaf essential oil from Zanthoxylum armatum

The leaf essential oils of Zanthoxylum armatum DC (Rutaceae) from Kumaon, India, extracted by hydrodistillation, were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography (GC-FID) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The major classes of compounds found in the leaf oils were acyclic and menthane monoterpenoids as well as simple alcohols, aldehydes and ketones. The high proportion of non-terpenic acyclic ketones, notably 2-undecanone and 2-tridecanone, and the low abundance of undec-10-en-1-al and p-phellandren-8-ol make the composition entirely new. Other constituents present in significant amounts were oxygenated monoterpenes, which include 1,8-cineole, linalool, terpinen-4-ol, and alpha-terpineol, and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons represented mainly by trans-caryophyllene, a-humulene and germacrene D. On the contrary, the oil distilled from the leaves on the second day of distillation was characterized by a high content of 2-tridecanone (27.1%) and trans-caryophyllene (7.4%), as compared with 3.5% and 4.6%, respectively, for the fresh leaves; a slight decrease in pH of the distillate was also significant. Moreover, the presence of a high 2-undecanone content followed by 2-tridecanone is being reported for the first time for Z. armatum from this region. In terms of molecular diversity, the simple acyclic ketones dominate the essential oils as compared with linalool that was reported in several previous studies on Z. armatum. Therefore, the two acyclic ketones may be utilized to establish the origin and authenticity of the material.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from Nandina domestica fruits

The chemical composition and antioxidant activities of the essential oil from Nandina domestica fruits were studied for the first time. Twenty-two compounds, representing 82.79% of the oil, were identified from the oil. The major compounds were 3-hexen-1-ol (12.9%), linalool (12.3%), 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol (9.9%), oleic acid (8.0%), furfural (5.8%) and 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-methylphenol (5.7%). The antioxidant activities of the oil were evaluated using reducing power, metal chelating ability and scavenging capacity against 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) and superoxide anion free radical. The oil exhibited significant antioxidant activities.     

Chemical composition and insecticidal activity of the essential oil of Amethystea caerulea L

The essential oil of the aerial parts of Amethystea caerulea L. was obtained from steam distillation and investigated by GC and GC-MS. The main components of the essential oil were morrilol (25.1%), 4-vinylguaiacol (14.3%) and acetoanisole (14.3%), followed by linalool (6.6%), eugenol (5.8%) and α-caryophyllene (5.2%). The essential oil showed pronounced contact toxicity against Drosophila melanogaster L. and maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais (Motsch.), with LD(50) values of 5.18 and 50.45?μg per adult, respectively. The essential oil also possessed strong fumigant toxicity against the maize weevils with an LC(50) value of 25.39?μg?mL(-1).     

Essential Oil Composition and Stable Isotope Profile of Cultivated Ocimum campechianum Mill. (Lamiaceae) from Peru

Ocimum campechianum Mill. (Peruvian basil) is an essential oil-bearing plant of the Lamiaceae family. Volatile oil produced through steam distillation of Peruvian basil was examined to establish the aromatic and stable isotope profiles of samples (n = 9) from three different cultivated plots in Peru. The resulting essential oils were analyzed by GC/FID, GC/MS, and GC/IRMS. In accordance with findings from other researchers, multiple chemotypes, defined by the most abundant aromatic compounds, exist within these populations. Overall, 55% of samples are the eugenol chemotype (values ranging 15.4–30.2%), 33% are the methyl eugenol chemotype (values ranging 68.1–68.7%), and a single sample is a mixture of both chemotypes, containing high levels of both eugenol (38.1%) and methyl eugenol (8.6%). Stable isotope ratios, δ²H and δ¹³C, performed on prominent compounds provide supporting data for distinguishing chemotypes. Complete aromatic profiles, stable isotope ratios, and essential oil yield are established for each sample. This study confirms the existence of multiple chemotypes and, for the first time, to the author’s best knowledge, establishes stable isotope ratios for O. campechianum essential oil, which proves a useful tool in further investigating plant metabolism and determining essential oil authenticity.     

Chemical composition of the essential oil of Feronia elephantum Correa

The essential oil composition of Feronia elephantum Correa (family: Rutaceae) was examined by capillary gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). The analysis revealed the presence of 24 constituents, of which 18 constituents were identified. Trans-anethole (57.73%) and methyl chavicol (37.48%) were the major compounds, while cis-anethole, p-anisaldehyde, (E)-jasmone, methyl eugenol, β-caryophyllene, linalool and (E)-methyl isoeugenol were also present as the minor constituents.